Gear Review: VAUDE Performance 7 M Sleeping Mat

About the VAUDE Performance 7 M

The Vaude Performance 7 M sleeping mat is perfect if you love adventure and still want a good night’s sleep. Whether you’re a regular multi-day hiker or leaning towards exploring some alpine terrain, this mat gives you that sweet combo of lightweight performance and warmth. With an R-value of 2.5, it keeps you insulated down to -2°C, making it just right for three-season camping.

With the mat being 7 cm thick, it’s super comfy and the Primaloft® insulation keeps you warm when the temperatures drop. It packs down pretty small too, so it won’t take up too much space in your pack. What makes it even better? The Green Shape label! This means the mat is made with sustainable materials and eco-friendly production processes. That’s what VAUDE is all about. Honorable mention: this mat is partially made from recycled PET bottles, so you can feel good about being eco-friendly while you’re out exploring.

It doesn’t matter if you’re on a multi-day hike or just kicking back in your tent on a weekend camping trip, the Vaude Performance 7 M has your back — literally! Comfortable, warm, and environmentally conscious, it’s a great addition to your gear.

Testing the VAUDE Performance 7 M

On a recent holiday, I had the chance to put the Vaude Performance 7 M sleeping mat to the test. My previous camping experiences in the Netherlands equipped me with a solid baseline for comparison, and the landscape on this trip provided the perfect backdrop.

Comfort and size

With me being 1.55m (or 5’1”) and probably the rare exception to the tall Dutchies, I previously purchased a short, narrow sleeping pad — all to save weight. I didn’t think I needed all that extra space. However, I used to constantly slide off during the night, ending up on the cold ground. But the Vaude Performance 7 M was a perfect match for me in terms of comfort and space. With its length of 183 cm, I had plenty of room to stretch out without feeling cramped. Its thickness and rectangular shape were just right for a comfy night’s sleep. I found the mat spacious and very comfortable — I didn’t wake up with any soreness, and it cushioned me well against the hard ground beneath.

Warmth and insulation

The insulation on this mat was great, especially for a cold sleeper like me. Even though temperatures can get chilly at night, I stayed comfortably warm throughout. The Primaloft® Black insulation really does its job, trapping body heat and keeping out the cold from the ground. This mat is rated for use down to around -2°C, so in combination with the right sleeping bag, it would be a reliable option even for early spring or late fall camping trips.

Inflation and deflation

Now, I’ll admit — I cheated a bit by inflating the mat with the pump that my friend brought with her. While it was incredibly easy that way, I’d prefer it if VAUDE provided a pump sack, which wasn’t included with the mat. Inflating the mat by mouth would definitely take more effort. I can imagine that after a long day of hiking, that’s the last thing you’d want to do! The valve is designed in a way that inflated air doesn’t escape, so you do have plenty of time to catch a breath in between. Deflating the mat posed a slight challenge, because, without a twisting valve, I struggled to get the air out completely. It was a bit of a struggle, as I had to put pressure on the valve at the same time as pushing the air out. It caused me to spend a few extra minutes making sure it was compact enough to fit neatly back into its stuff sack.

Noise and stability

One of my absolute favorite things about this mat is how quiet it is. My old mat had earned the charming nickname “crispbag” because it crinkled and crackled loudly with every move. This sleeping mat, on the other hand, was very silent. No rustling, just a noise-free night’s sleep. This was a huge improvement for me, and it made a big difference in the overall sleep experience. Especially if you’re a light sleeper and toss and turn like I do.

Speaking of movement, I tend to be quite restless when I sleep, but the H-shaped chambers in this mat keep everything stable. They reminded me a little bit of the pool inflatables we used to have as children! Anyway, I didn’t feel like I was rolling off the mat, and the surface stayed level even as I changed positions.

Durability and portability

The mat also comes with a repair kit, which I hope I’ll never need, but it’s reassuring to know it’s there. The fabric, although lightweight, seems durable and of good quality too, which is another reason I hope to not have to use the repair kit anytime soon.

In terms of portability, the mat packs down to a size of 22 cm by 9.5 cm, which isn’t the smallest on the market, but it’s still compact enough to fit easily into a backpack. I did struggle a bit with getting it back into the stuff sack due to the deflation of the mat, but once packed, it’s quite light at 450 grams, so it didn’t weigh me down on the trail.